majin1084: Thanks for the info. I got it done, but it was much more difficult than I expected. Tedious is more the word. My hands were cramped having to hold such small parts to finesse them into place.
I ended up unbolting that slotted bracket the ball slides in to get the broken piece off. The black thing at the bottom just pops off with a screwdriver pry. Careful not to disconnect that red wire that is attached to the bracket. Looks like that could end up being a bad thing if it comes off. Getting a socket with a star bit on that bolt was tough because there wasn't room and my star bit screwdriver couldn't get the angle good enough. I thought I was going to strip it. So I farted with getting that bolt out with vice grips instead. When putting it back on, it dawned on me to lower the steering wheel! DUH!
I couldn't seem to get the teeth on that ball end piece to line up in the position it needed to
be in without taking that bracket off and finessing it all in one motion. I don't know if that ended up helping or made it worse. But it took forever. I just messed with it until it worked, but i'm not sure what made it happen.
I think putting the gear shift on and tapping the pin thru the shaft was what ended up making it all happen. It helped rotate the splined end that the ball thing went on just enough for me to slide it on.
Fortunately, I didn't break any pieces off the sensors... so I got lucky.
Also, I didn't have C-Clip pliers handy, so I tapped the old retainer ring back on and I think it's going to work fine. It doesn't appear to be under much load, so I don't expect it to fall off. If it does, I'll put the C Clip on. I left the bottom cover off the steering column just in case it does and I have to manually shift it.
This experience was hard to document because I wasn't sure what I was doing. I was just using common sense and engineering. There may have been an easier way, but I got it done. I'm still not sure I could explain exactly how to do it.
But I will say this, if this happens to you... don't delay getting it done. I accidentally left my car in drive while parking and a time or two it rolled on me. I was very close to it causing a serious accident. t's dangerous and not likely an expensive repair if you pay a mechanic to do it.
Good luck and thanks for everything as usual guys!!
Jason